Alex Nylander must continue to impress to earn a spot on the Pittsburgh Penguins' roster.

The Pittsburgh Penguins dropped the puck on the 2023 preseason yesterday, splitting their two games with the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Penguins had 40 players suit up on Sunday, and most were entrenched in roster battles with the regular NHLers given the day off.

One of the Penguins' more impressive performers on Sunday was Alex Nylander. Nylander got off to a hot start, scoring the opening goal of the day off a cross-crease pass by Radim Zohorna. 

The newly minted number 11 bookended his performance with a dazzling shootout goal where he waited out the Blue Jackets' netminder Aaron Dell before depositing the puck to the back of the net.

Nylander needs to continue stacking performances like that to separate himself in the crowded battle for bottom-six spots. What started as an open competition on Thursday has narrowed in focus. 

Vinnie Hinostroza has seen the bulk of the reps in Jake Guentzel's vacant spot to Sidney Crosby's left. Hinostroza even joined the list of NHL regulars who sat out the split-squad game on Sunday.

The Penguins have seemingly found their fourth line, pairing Matt Nieto, Jeff Carter, and Noel Acciari. With just over two weeks until opening night against the Chicago Blackhawks, Nylander must continue to impress to stay ahead of the pack.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhT2JU1oUKo[/embed]

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